Terezinha Guilhermina, who is visually impaired and runs all her races with a guide, is the world-record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres T11 sprints and a strong contender for gold medals in the London Paralympics in 2012. Although a big name in Brazil following her gold medal in the 200m in the Beijing Paralympics, it was not until 2011 that the world took notice of her.
At the IPC Athletics World Championships in New Zealand, she won four gold medals and set a host of records. She lowered her own 100m world record, set in 2007, from 12.27 to 12.13 secs and in the 200m ran 24.98 to break the world record that had stood for ten years.
She also took gold in the 400m and as part of the 4x100m relay team. Six months later, she clocked 12.04 secs to lower her 100m record further. Her 2011 campaign ended with three more gold medals at the Parapan American Games in Guadalajara.
